IRIS & A2IM Launch Another Anti-Piracy Campaign

(UPDATED) IRIS Distribution has launched its "I Share Everything But My Music" T-Shirt campaign. Their goal is to promote music ownership and support for the musicians that create it. The logo on the T-Shirt aims to educate kids about music piracy without being heavy-handed. It's a difficult message to communicate. If the point is too aggressive, kids may ignore it. Likewise, if the point is too subtle, it will get lost among them.

Yo Gabba Gabba illustrator and animator Stephan Britt designed the logo. The T-Shirt can be purchased alone, or with the digital albums here. 50% of the profits from these sales will go to support indie label trade group A2IM's efforts.

The campaign is a cutesy way to start the conversation about music piracy with kids. But does the rabbit seem a little conceited? Does the raccoon resemble a thief? And if that orange is an MP3, the rabbit appears too stuck-up to take it.

In the past, efforts like this to educate youth about music piracy haven't been too effective. Here IRIS is educating kids about music ownership and supporting artists. But are they also telling them that culture isn't meant to be shared?

This won't work... and worse, it could have a negative effect on IRIS' brand.

Today's youth innately understand that file sharing isn't "bad" (While it may be bad for recording artists who haven't figured out another way to get paid). Kids simply know copying something that isn't "real"(tangible) to share the "captured experience" with someone else, isn't morally wrong... even if it is illegal.

any opportunity to get the word out about not stealing music is a win! i think it is great that IRIS is taking a stand on this important issue. A lot of folks who are members of A2IM have been apart of the don't steal music revolution and if this is what it takes to get the word out that rocks!!

It would be great to have all labels and distro companies create their own messages about illegal downloading so we can keep it fresh. The PSA's that have been created and the t-shirts are just the tip of the iceberg.

Instead of whining about "what good is it going to do" be a part of the solution....imagine what would happen if we all actually stood together on this.....crazy.....we might actually accomplish something.